Digicel coaching clinics at Couva

Forty children would then be selected for an intensive two-day camp on Friday and Saturday with coaches, Kenny Benjamin, Keith Arthurton, Lance Gibbs and current West Indies players Denesh Ramdin and Ravi Rampaul.

The first leg of the Regional Clinics was held in Barbados last week with a large number of children attending the trials at the Three W’s Oval.

Digicel as part of their renegotiated sponsorship of West Indies cricket has placed great emphasis on the continuous development of West Indies cricket.

West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle and Ramdin are all playing a major part in coaching aspiring young cricketers of the West Indies.

They are working alongside some of the elder statesmen of West Indies cricket such as Sir Garfield Sobers, Lance Gibbs, Kenny Benjamin and Keith Arthurton.

Young cricketers are afforded the opportunity to gain expert tips from the cricketers who are playing at the highest level as well as veterans who have played a major role in the past.

Sarwan welcomed the initiative adding: “I’m delighted that Digicel has given us this opportunity to coach the Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinics over the next six weeks. It is important for the future that we use all opportunities to nurture young talent in the Caribbean and give back some of what we’ve learnt from being part of the West Indies cricket team.”

He was speaking at the launch of the clinics last Thursday in Barbados. “Myself, Chris and Denesh are looking forward to meeting Windies fans as well as getting some tips ourselves from Sir Gary and other former Windies players,” said Sarwan.

Kieran Foley, Digicel head of Sponsorship, commented: “The Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinics are a key part of our youth development programme. We worked closely with the WICB to develop coaching clinics that would teach aspiring young cricketers some valuable cricket skills.

“ It is important that children have access to quality cricket coaching which will maintain the foundation of West Indian cricket as they are the Caribbean’s future cricketers,” Foley said.

Former West Indies great Lance Gibbs said that the Digicel Coaching Clinics are a fantastic development as the movement towards developing the next generation of West Indies cricketers is being conducted.

He maintained that the tradition and success West Indies cricket has previously enjoyed need to be maintained and it was wonderful to see Digicel listening to the people of the Caribbean and supporting the development of cricket.